PORT CHARLOTTE -- Manager Kevin Cash still won’t name the order in which Jake Odorizzi and Nathan Karns will pitch during the season-opening series against the Orioles. Cash also won’t name the fourth starter.

This morning he explained why: “Depending on, obviously, our roster in here, but then you have to see what else is out there. If that were to come about you have to value the schedules that other guys have been on. That’s kind of the only reason for holding up.”

If the Rays were to acquire a starting pitcher later this week either in a trade of by picking up someone released by another club, that pitcher may slot into he second, third or fourth spot in the rotation based on their schedule this spring.

PORT CHARLOTTE -- LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder tendinitis) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday and Saturday. After that he should be ready to begin his minor league rehab assignment.

The plan would be for Smyly to make at least five minor league starts, but manager Kevin Cash said that could be adjusted depending on need at the major league level. Cash said if they think there is a benefit of bringing Smyly back after he is stretched out to 75 pitches then the team might do that. Otherwise, Smyly will be stretched out to 105, just as he would had he been able to participate in spring training.

RHP Alex Cobb (forearm tendinitis) played catch today for the second time since he was cleared to resume throwing.

FORT MYERS -- LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder tendinitis) is scheduled to throw a bullpen this morning and said his next step is to face live hitters.

When asked how confident he is about returning to thee team in April, Smyly said, “Very hopeful I’ll be pitching in April for sure. Something would have to go wrong a step backwards for me not to be pitching in April.”

PORT CHARLOTTE -- Rays RHP Alex Cobb played catch Saturday for the first time since March 17 when he was shutdown with tendinitis in his right forearm after throwing three perfect innings against the Phillies on Clearwater.

“My arm is still tight, breaking stuff up in there and throwing,” Cobb said. “It’s not like I feel the way I did the day I got hurt. That’s why there’s a buildup process. You throw 30 pitches today, take a day off and see where you are from there. It’s exactly where I anticipated it being.”

Cobb said he expects to rejoin the Rays rotation some time in April, because he doesn’t believe he will need much time to get back to where he was when he was injured. At that time he was stretched out for three innings.

“I think the good news for fans in Tampa and St. Petersburg is (owner) Stuart (Sternberg) remains committed to the idea that the Rays should be here,” Manfred said. “I think that’s a great undertaking, great mindset for him. From our prospective, it is very difficult to get a new stadium done without cooperation, help, assistance from the local government. We’re hoping – we’re hoping – that Stuart gets that kind of help so that they can get a facility that can keep the Rays here and competitive for a long time.”

Sternberg met with reporters last week and said patience was running thin among team owners and league executives when it comes to the Rays stadium search.

“I think the good news for fans in Tampa and St. Petersburg is (owner) Stuart (Sternberg) remains committed to the idea that the Rays should be here,” Manfred said. “I think that’s a great undertaking, great mindset for him. From our prospective, it is very difficult to get a new stadium done without cooperation, help, assistance from the local government. We’re hoping – we’re hoping – that Stuart gets that kind of help so that they can get a facility that can keep the Rays here and competitive for a long time.”

Sternberg met with reporters last week and said patience was running thin among team owners and league executives when it comes to the Rays stadium search.

FORT MYERS -- Manager Kevin Cash said Logan Forsythe will get the bulk of playing time until Nick Franklin (oblique strain) returns to the lineup sometime in April.

Cash said Franklin is the “gray area” between missing 4 to 6 weeks and 6 to 8 weeks.

RHP Alex Cobb (forearm tightness) was examined Tuesday by team doctors. He said everything checked out well and he will resume throwing once the pain is gone. Cash said that could be as early as this weekend, though he said he wasn’t certain about that.